[LRflex] Re: Leica S2 in hand

From: David Young <dsy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

To: leicareflex@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:41:21 -0700

At 01/10/2008, you wrote:

Howard,
Did the Leica designer say whether or not the current R lens mount
would be retained for the R10?

Allow me to answer that, if you will.

Yes, the R10 (and later) cameras are to be full-frame (24x36mm
sensor) cameras, which accept all current R lenses. I am assuming
(speculating) that they will accept 1,2 and 3 cam lenses - though
only if they've been modified to have the third cam. I'm pretty sure
that the body will record lens data only from ROM lenses. If course,
the new R glass will also be AF ... so I am also assuming something
like the ROM contacts will be duplicated opposite the current ROM
set, for AF control. The older first and second cams would not
interfere with these body contacts in the same way that these cams do
not currently interfere with the existing body-side ROM contacts

The one "price" for this compatibility will be the mechanism required
to actuate the aperture in the older lenses. Electronic aperture
control (as is done in Canon and the S2, among others) is cheaper to
implement than a mechanical method, while also being more
reliable. Doing both would cost Leica more. But, again, Pentax has
kept their mechanical aperture control and maintained a very
competitive price. So, if they can do it, I guess Leica can, too.

I understand that the S2 lenses are all metal, using aluminum and
other, more sophisticated, lightweight alloys, rather than brass, to
save weight. If this technology comes to new R lenses, they will be
significantly lighter than present R lenses. That along, combined
with a smaller, lighter, high quality body and the advent of AF will
convince many to purchase both the new body and new AF-R
glass. Newer, better designs would simply be "icing on the cake".
And that's what Leica need... for the money is in the glass, not in the bodies.